Connect with us

News

This Programme Strangulates  Friday Prayer” — MURIC Slams Olubadan Coronation Schedule

Published

on

 

The coronation planning committee for the installation of the new Olubadan of Ibadan has unveiled a week-long programme of events to mark the ascension of former Oyo State Governor, Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, as the new monarch. However, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has strongly criticized the schedule, alleging that it disregards the religious sensitivities of the Muslim community. “This programme strangulates the Muslim Friday prayer,” said Professor Ishaq Akintola, Executive Director of MURIC, in a statement issued to the press.

According to MURIC, the coronation programme begins on Monday, 22nd September 2025, with an inter-religious prayer session, followed by a cultural fiesta, a coronation lecture, and separate Islamic and Christian prayer events on subsequent days. “The first four days are in order,” Akintola noted, “but the Friday schedule is provocative and insensitive.” He emphasized that the main coronation event is slated for Friday, 26th September at 9 a.m., a time that overlaps with the Muslim Jumu’ah prayer.

MURIC expressed concern that no mention was made of any mosque-based activity or Jumu’ah prayer in the programme, while a Christian Thanksgiving Service scheduled for Sunday, 28th September at the Catholic Cathedral, Oke Padre, was prominently featured. “This is an attempt to Christianise the coronation ceremony,” Akintola alleged, adding that the omission of Friday prayers sends a troubling message to Muslim attendees.

The group further criticized the scheduling of a reception at 1 p.m. on the same Friday, a time traditionally reserved for Jumu’ah prayers. “Who does not know that Muslims are expected to be in the mosque by 1 p.m. on Fridays?” Akintola asked. He described the timing as a “punch below the belt” and called for an urgent review of the programme to accommodate Muslim worship.

Advert

MURIC urged the planning committee to demonstrate religious inclusivity by introducing a “Thanksgiving Jumu’ah Service” at 1 p.m. on Friday and shifting the reception to 3 p.m. Alternatively, the group proposed moving the coronation ceremony itself to Saturday, 27th September, which is currently free of any scheduled events. “Saturday is the best day for the coronation ceremony per se,” Akintola advised, “as it would relieve the planners of any form of pressure while avoiding a clash with Friday prayers.”

The organization also referenced past incidents involving Governor Seyi Makinde, accusing him of a pattern of scheduling official events during Friday prayer hours. “At the road commissioning in Iseyin on 15th September 2023, the governor arrived late, making Muslim guests uncomfortable,” Akintola recalled. He also cited the coronation of the late Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, on Friday, 12th July 2024, where Muslim attendees reportedly missed prayers due to Makinde’s delayed arrival.

MURIC had previously issued a statement on 15th July 2024 titled “MURIC To Makinde: Stop Friday Programs,” warning against the scheduling of state events during Muslim worship hours. “Seyi Makinde has come after Friday again,” Akintola declared. “This coming coronation programme will be the third example. Once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, the third time is enemy action.”

While the government has denied involvement in the coronation planning, MURIC remains unconvinced. “How are we sure the committee has not kowtowed to the whims of the state governor?” Akintola asked, reiterating the need for equitable religious representation. “Muslim leaders from across the country will be present. They should not leave with the impression that Friday prayer is not recognized by the Oyo State government.”

In conclusion, MURIC called for a balanced approach to the coronation schedule, urging the committee to respect the religious diversity of Ibadan and Nigeria at large. “Our suggestion is simple: review the programme and ensure that Muslims are not alienated,” Akintola said. “Let the coronation reflect the pluralistic spirit of our society.”

News

2027: I Will continue distributing job offers as i did in the past – Goro

Published

on

 

 

Former member, representing Fagge federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Aminu Suleiman Goro has pledged to continue distributing job offers the way he did during his past times as lawmaker.

Goro, the candidate of National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the Fagge federal constituency in the 2027 elections, made the pledge in an interview with newsmen in Kano on Wednesday.

According to Goro, who was the Chairman, House Committee on Tertiary Institutions during his time at the green chamber, he had distributed a lot of job offers to the youths in his constituency as part of his drive to human development.

Fondly called “Mai Gonar Offer”, literally means the owner of farm that produces job offers, added that that he would continue provide a lot of job opportunities toll youths at his constituency, as he had already begun exploring ways in that regard.

“As called ” Mai Gonar Offer”, i have already begun exploring hectares of land to cultivate job offers. This is something i am known for.

” I will continue from where i stopped many of those that secured federal jobs through me have attained the level of Director as their respective places of work. We will continue to build more people because that is the ideology of Kwankwasiyya,” Goro stated.

Advert

He expressed gratitude to the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, reaffirming his loyalty to the former governor of Kano state.

I thank Almighty Allah for giving me another opportunity under the leadership of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. I also appreciate all his associates and supporters for their confidence in me,” he said.

Reacting to rumours that he could betray Kwankwaso if elected into office, the former lawmaker dismissed the claims as baseless, saying he decided to join Kwankwasiyya when its leader lost a government from the defection of governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

“That is not true. We supported Kwankwaso even when he was not in government. Our loyalty is not because of political office or power. We joined him because we believe in his leadership and ideology. If it is for political interest, i would have rejoined with Kwankwaso at the inception of administration of governor Abba Kabir Yusuf,” he said.

Goro assured the constituents of Fagge that his political camp would not only revive its past achievements but would also improve on them while defending the interests of the local government, Kano State, and the Kwankwasiyya ideology.

“By the grace of Allah, we will not only restore what we were known for, but we will also improve on it. We will continue to protect the interests of our people and the Kwankwasiyya movement, which is a movement for the common man,” he stated.

According to him, the Kwankwasiyya movement is rooted in Kano’s political history and inspired by the late Aminu Kano, whom he described as the ideological foundation of the movement.

“This ideology was inherited from Kano State. From Kano came leaders like Malam Aminu Kano, and in this generation, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso represents that same political philosophy,” Goro added.

Goro also expressed optimism that the NDC would win elections at all levels in 2027, attributing the success to the party’s ideology and manifesto.

“We are united in Kano and fully committed to supporting Kwankwaso politically. By Allah’s grace, the NDC will form government from top to bottom,” he said.

Continue Reading

News

Eid Al-Adha Felicitations-Prof Muhammad Abbas

Published

on

 

From Professor Muhammad Adamu Abbas
Director General, Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC)

To:
His Excellency, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf
Executive Governor of Kano State and the Good People of Kano State

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

On this blessed occasion of Eid Al-Adha, I extend my warmest felicitations to Your Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, and to the entire people of Kano State.

Eid Al-Adha reminds us of sacrifice, obedience, and compassion for humanity. As we celebrate, I pray that Allah (SWT) accepts our sacrifices, grants us peace, good health, and strengthens the bonds of unity across Kano State.

Advert

Your Excellency, I commend your unwavering commitment and readiness to support disease prevention, early detection, and rapid response in Kano State. Your leadership has created the enabling environment for public health institutions to thrive and serve the people effectively. The people of Kano are fortunate to have a Governor who places health security and the wellbeing of citizens at the heart of governance.

Under the guidance of the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, the Kano State Centre for Disease Control, KNCDC, remains fully committed to its mandate. I assure Your Excellency and the good people of Kano State that KNCDC stands ready, with the continued support of Your Excellency and the strategic direction of the Honorable Commissioner, to prevent, detect, and respond promptly to all epidemic-prone diseases in the state.

May this Eid bring joy to every home, healing to the sick, and renewed strength to our collective efforts in building a healthier and safer Kano.

Eid Mubarak!
May Allah bless Kano State and Nigeria with peace, prosperity, and good health.

Signed,
Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas
Director General
Kano State Centre for Disease Control, KNCDC

Continue Reading

News

Atiku Wins ADC Presidential Primaries in Kano

Published

on

 

By Abbas Yushau Yusuf

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerged victorious in the presidential primaries of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) held in Kano State, securing an overwhelming majority of votes cast across the state’s 484 wards.

Announcing the results in Kano on Tuesday, Dr. John Ayuba, a representative of the ADC national headquarters, declared that Atiku polled 155,995 votes to defeat his closest rivals in the keenly contested exercise.

According to the official figures released at the end of the collation process:

Atiku Abubakar — 155,995 votes

Advert

Rotimi Amaechi — 15,914 votes

Mohammed Hayatu-Deen — 9,994 votes

Dr. Ayuba stated that the primary election was conducted peacefully across all the 484 wards in Kano State, with party officials and delegates participating in the democratic process.

Speaking shortly after the announcement, he said the outcome of the Kano exercise would now be transmitted to the ADC national leadership for final collation and ratification.

“The election was conducted in the 484 wards of Kano State. We are going to forward the results to the national headquarters, and from there we will know who becomes the presidential flagbearer of the party,” he said.

 

The outcome further strengthens Atiku’s influence within the party structure in Kano, one of Nigeria’s most politically significant states with a large voting population.

Political observers say the margin of victory recorded by the former vice president reflects his strong grassroots support and established political network in northern Nigeria ahead of the next general election.

Supporters of Atiku who gathered at the venue of the announcement celebrated the victory, describing it as a sign of confidence in his leadership experience and national appeal.

Meanwhile, party officials urged members to remain united after the exercise and work towards strengthening the ADC ahead of the presidential election.

The ADC national headquarters is expected to compile results from other states before making an official declaration on the party’s presidential candidate.

Continue Reading

Trending